Sliding device for ski heel binding

ABSTRACT

A sliding plate having a ski heel binding fixed at the fore end thereof and comprising tooth-shaped projections aligned at a fixed interval is moved back and forth above a base by rotating a rotary member engaged with the projections. The rotary member has a vertical sleeve so spaced that the starting point and the terminating point thereof may correspond to the interval between the projections. The rotary member is fixed to a pin through a hole of a cover which is fixed to the base; thereby each complete rotation of the pin rotates the rotary member and moves the slide plate a distance equal to the interval between the projections.

United States Patent Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Priority SLIDIN G DEVICE FOR SKI HEEL BINDING 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl ..280/11.35 H

Int. Cl. A636 9/00 Field ofSearch 280/1135; 9/310 AA References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1967 Reuge et al Primary ExaminerBenjamin Hersh Assistant ExaminerMilton L. Smith Attorney-Eliot S. Gerber ABSTRACT: A sliding plate having a ski heel binding fixed at the fore end thereof and comprising tooth-shaped projections aligned at a fixed interval is moved back and forth above a base by rotating a rotary member engaged with the projections. The rotary member has a vertical sleeve so spaced that the starting point and the terminating point thereof may correspond to the interval between the projections. The rotary member is fixed to a pin through a hole of a cover which is fixed to the base; thereby each complete rotation of the pin rotates the rotary member and moves the slide plate a distance equal to the interval between the projections.

PAIENIEnnm 19 l97l 3, 6 14.117

sum 1 OF 2 FIG.I

INVFNTUR BY Zwz/JM ATTORNEY PATENTEUUBT 19 l97| 3,614. 1 17 SHEET 2 0F 2 SLIDING DEVICE FOR SKI HEEL BINDING The present invention relates to a sliding device for ski heel binding.

Usually, a ski boot is securely fixed on a ski by fitting a tip of the boot into a toe fixture and then constricting the boot against the toe fixture by means of a ski heel binding. The heel binding may be moved forward and rearward by a sliding device so that the space between the toe and heel fixtures corresponds to the size of the boot.

Various types of sliding devices for ski heel bindings have been suggested. The most simple structure comprises an adjusting screw which is provided lengthwise and parallel to the ski. This structure has the further disadvantage that turning the adjusting screw by hand is relatively troublesome and requires considerable power, because the adjusting screw is provided close to the upper side of the ski.

It is the principal objective of the invention to provide a sliding device for a ski heel binding which converts relatively small rotary movement into relatively large straight movement, whose operation may be performed from the upper fixed position, and which is not complicated in structure nor large in size.

For a better understanding of the invention, as well as further objects-and features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding device for a ski heel binding prior to its assembly;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same after assembly;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view along line III-Ill in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of a rotary member seen from the bottom; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line VV in FIG. 4.

A preferable embodiment of the invention will be explained hereinafter. The sliding device comprises basically a base 50 to be fixed to a ski, a casing mounted to the base 50, a rotary member 30 fixed to a pin 20 which is pivoted turnably in the casing 10, and a slide plate 40 slidable on the base 50 along the lengthwise direction of the ski. The slide plate 40 is engaged with a sleeve 33 of the rotary member 30. The slide plate 40 has a ski heel binding 60 fixed at its fore end.

The casing 10 comprises, as integral portions, an inclined top plane 11, vertical side planes 13 and l3continued to the top plane 11, horizontal flanges 14 and 14 and fore and rear planes 15 and 16 whose ends are spaced from the plane through the flanges. A large and a small hole 17 and 18 are formed in each flange; and when the casing 10 is correctly fixed to the base 50, as described later, by screws 53 and 19, the top plane 1 1 is inclined rearward. I

The inclined top plane 11 has a hole 12 substantially at the center thereof, through which the pin 20 is turnably inserted. The pin 20 comprises a head portion 21, having a straight groove 22, projected beyond the top plane 11 of the casing 10, a cylindrical portion 23 loosely fitted in the hole 12, and an end portion 24 having flat planes 25 and 25. The planes 25 and 25 are formed by cutting down, in parallel, both sides of the end portion directly below the cylindrical portion 23.

To fix the end portion 24 of the pin 20 to the rotary member 30, a hole 32, whose shape is substantially the same as the traversely sectioned shape of the end portion 24, is provided at the center of the top plane 31 of the rotary member 30. After fitting the end portion 24 of the pin 20 through the hole 32 of the rotary member 30, the end portion 24 projecting below the hole 32 is peened over to connect the pin 20 to the rotary member 30.

As shown in FlGS. 4 and 5 specifically, the rotary member 30 has a sleeve 33 descending substantially vertical from the upper plane 31. The radius of curvature, starting from a point 34 of the sleeve 33 is increased in proportion to the increase of the central angle.

The elongated slide plate 40 has a plurality of tooth-shaped projections 41 aligned in the lengthwise direction of the plate at regular intervals. The interval between the two projections substantially corresponds to the s ace between the starting point 34 and a terminating point 3 of the sleeve 33, the phase difference between the two points being about 360. The slide plate 40 has a vertical portion 43 at its fore end to be fixed to a metal fixture 61 of the ski heel binding 60 by a bolt 42 and has a hook portion 44 at its rear end to be engaged with the base at the advanced position of the plate so as not to slide the plate 40 any more.

The base 50 to be fixed to the ski by screw 53 comprises a portion 52 for receiving the casing 10, and guide flanges 51 and 51 for guiding the slide plate 40 and the ski heel binding 60 along the lengthwise direction of the ski but immobilizing them in the traverse direction of the flanges.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 10 rides over the slide plate 40, and the sleeve 33 of the rotary member 30 is engaged with any of the projections 41 of the slide plate 40. In order to prevent the terminal point 35 of the sleeve 33 from colliding against the slide plate 40, preferably the terminal plane 36 of the sleeve is cut down to the angle as shown in FIG. 5.

In operation, when the tip of a screwdriver is inserted to the groove 22 of the head portion 21 of the pin 20 and turned, the rotary member 30 is rotated together with the turning of the pin 20, so that the slide plate 40 and the ski heel binding 60 connected thereto are moved back and forth. Such operation is performed easily from the upper side of the ski, which is free from obstacles. Further, the length of the straight movement of the slide plate at each turning of the pin 20 is relatively large, i.e., corresponds to the length between the starting point 34 and the terminal point 35. In addition, the height of the device up to the head portion 21 of the pin 20 can be made relatively short, therefore providing a safe assembly even if the skier should fall down upon it.

Not being shown in the drawings, a groove suited to a tip of a stick may be substituted for the straight groove 22, so that the stick may be used for a screwdriver.

Only preferably embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

What is claimed is:

1. A sliding device for a ski heel binding comprising, in combination, a casing, a pin turnably mounted to the casing, a rotary member fixed to one end of the pin projecting through the casing and having a vertical sleeve whose radius of curvature is increased in proportion to the increase of the central angle,

an elongated slide plate having a plurality of tooth-shaped projections aligned in the lengthwise direction of the plate and having a ski heel binding fixed at the fore end thereof, said projections being engaged with said sleeve of the rotary member, and a base connected to the casing and having means for guiding the slide plate with its ski heel binding along the lengthwise direction of the ski.

2. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical sleeve has a starting point and a terminating point, the interval between the said two points corresponds to the distance between the projections, and the phase difference between the two points is substantially 360.

3. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pin has a groove at its head.

4. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 2, wherein said terminating point of the sleeve is cut down. 

1. A sliding device for a ski heel binding comprising, in combination, a casing, a pin turnably mounted to the casing, a rotary member fixed to one end of the pin projecting through the casing and having a vertical sleeve whose radius of curvature is increased in proportion to the increase of the central angle, an elongated slide plate having a plurality of tooth-shaped projections aligned in the lengthwise direction of the plate and having a ski heel binding fixed at the fore end thereof, said projections being engaged with said sleeve of the rotary member, and a base connecTed to the casing and having means for guiding the slide plate with its ski heel binding along the lengthwise direction of the ski.
 2. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical sleeve has a starting point and a terminating point, the interval between the said two points corresponds to the distance between the projections, and the phase difference between the two points is substantially 360*.
 3. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pin has a groove at its head.
 4. A sliding device for a ski heel binding as claimed in claim 2, wherein said terminating point of the sleeve is cut down. 